~ We travel, hunt and gather. We design, build and create. We recycle, reuse and reinvent. CHARTREUSE Virginia Beach, VA offers an eclectic fusion of international antique furniture, mid century modern, vintage pieces, coastal style furniture, original art and unique, found objects. We also custom design and give new life to your furniture in our studio, on site. We offer in-home consultations and design services.

So…. I get back from my 8 day trip today (that was supposed to be a 4 day trip)! My truck is packed and I’m looking forward to being back home. I’ve worked 12 and 14 hour days and I’m exhausted! It was all worth it though. I managed to do a little (a lot) of shopping on the way down to Wilmington and on the way back to VaBeach….

I get to Chartreuse to unload the lute and my tools that I used to “work”…. I’m greeted with a clean and tidy shoppe. I see that my girls have been hard at work taking care of things while I was gone. I can’t tell you how much that means to me… having a great, supportive team.

I decided to call one of my “girls” and check in. We’re going over the week and discussing business when she tells me that a few customers (not clients) stated that “I (me) have gone way up on my prices and they didn’t like it”! SO HERE IT GOES………

First of all, I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR MY PRICES! Second of all, my prices increased when I quit selling pieces of painted furniture off my front porch and started doing custom work in people’s homes and when I opened up a BUSINESS!

SERIOUSLY………. this rakes my nerves! To those of you who don’t own a business and want everything for nothing…. Let me break it down for you…..

1. It cost money to go out and find pieces. 2. Then you have to pay money to buy the piece. 3. Then you have to either bring it back or have it delivered or rent a larger vehicle. 4. Then you have to work on it with the tools, paint, etc. that cost money…. in the building that you pay rent on!

I know I shouldn’t take the time to even acknowledge these people who are clearly not the happy, returning clients who don’t complain and think my prices are reasonable. Or the people from across the country who have me ship items to them. And I’m sure these complainers haven’t been to shoppes within a 100 mile radius, like Richmond and DC, whose prices are 3 times mine. That’s why those people are traveling to my shoppe to buy and sometimes even resale!

Oh…. and I forgot to mention… the person they complained to…. they have to be paid too! OK, I feel better now that this is off my chest!

On a lighter note……….. can’t wait to share all of the new finds from my trip and share photos of the Wilmington project… (which is costing money…. lol)